The Royals also activated left-handed pitcher Scott Downs, who had been on the disabled list with a stiff neck. The team also optioned right-handed pitcher Liam Hendriks to Double-A Northwest Arkansas. Hendriks held Minnesota to one run and four hits over seven innings in a no-decision spot start Wednesday in his Kansas City debut.

The Royals recalled right-hander Michael Mariot, who had been on the disabled list at Triple-A Omaha, and put him on the 60-day disabled list to make room for Nix on the 40-man major league roster.

The Royals will have to make a corresponding move to add Nix to the 25-man roster when he reports.